Daily Readings - Fri May 23 2025

²²Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,²³with the following letter: "The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.²⁴Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,²⁵it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,²⁶men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.²⁷We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.²⁸For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:²⁹that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."³⁰So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.³¹And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.

John

Chapter 15

¹²"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.¹³Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command you.¹⁵No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.¹⁶You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.¹⁷These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of unity, love, and the essence of Christian living. The first reading from Acts 15:22-31 recounts the Council of Jerusalem, where the early Church addressed the inclusion of Gentile converts. The Apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, resolved the conflict by establishing essential guidelines, emphasizing love and unity over division. This moment was pivotal, showing the Church's ability to navigate differences and grow harmoniously. The Gospel from John 15:12-17 shifts focus to Jesus’ Farewell Discourse, where He commands us to love one another as He loved us. Jesus redefines the disciples as friends, not servants, sharing His Father’s truths with them. This intimate teaching underscores the depth of God’s love and our role as bearers of this love. Jesus’ commandment is clear: love is the hallmark of His followers. Both readings highlight the importance of unity and love. The early Church’s decision in Acts was rooted in Jesus’ teachings, demonstrating how love and unity can overcome discord. In our lives, we face similar challenges, whether in personal relationships or community conflicts. The readings remind us to approach these situations with selfless love, focusing on what unites us rather than what divides. Jesus’ example calls us to prioritize love, even when it requires sacrifice. Let us strive to embody this love, fostering harmony and reflecting God’s grace in all we do.